The Festival of Honor Bands: January 25, 2025

Students are selected on the basis of a recorded audition and given the opportunity to work with guest clinicians. Clinicians for this year include Carrie Jensen (Norfolk Junior High School) for the Junior High Band, Nathan LeFeber (Kearney High School) for the High School Symphonic Band, and Dr. Josh Calkin (Wayne State College) for the High School Wind Ensemble.

Audition and application

1. Complete the online Honor Band application. The application form will be available here in Fall 2025.
2. Record the appropriate audition music as MP3, WAV, or MP4 file.
3. Make each audition a separate file (scales/rudiments and etude in same file) and label as follows: Instrument-Student Name-School-JH or HS
4. Email MP3, WAV, or MP4 files to Josh Calkin at [email protected].
5. Mail check for audition fee in the amount of $5 per audition. (Percussionists auditioning on multiple instruments need only to pay $5.) Checks should be made out to Wayne State College and mailed to Lauren Rastede at 1111 Main Street, Wayne, NE 68787. Please indicate on your check that this is an "audition fee."

Audition material due date: TBD

All recordings will be adjudicated. Results should be announced before the holiday break (via email). Directors should expect music and further details of the Honor Band Festival just after the first of the year.

Registration fee for those selected
A $20 registration fee is required for each person selected. The registration fee is due by the day of the festival and includes lunch. If paying by check, checks should be made out to Wayne State College and sent to Lauren Rastede at 1111 Main Street, Wayne, NE 68787. Please indicate on your check that this is a "registration fee."Checks for audition and registration fees cannot be combined and require separate payment.

Scales
All high school auditions should begin with Concert C and A Flat scales throughout the individual's full range (including mallets). Please tongue eighth notes at m.m.=80.

Percussion
Snare drum auditions should begin with the single paradiddle. Timpani auditions should begin with a single stroke roll - open/closed/open (slow/fast/slow).

Scales
All junior high auditions should begin with a chromatic scale throughout the individual's full range (including mallets). Please slur eighth notes at m.m.=60.

Percussion
Snare and timpani auditions should begin with a long roll - open/closed/open (slow/fast/slow)